South Africa will host Nicaragua in a key send-off match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the international friendly set to be played at Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto on Friday.
Kick-off is at 6pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
Bafana Bafana head into the friendly with high spirits after securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup - their first appearance on the global stage since 2010 and they will be eager to keep home fans happy with a strong performance.
However, South Africa are currently winless in their last three matches and will be desperate to end that streak with a convincing victory over Nicaragua before heading to North America for another friendly against Jamaica.
Nicaragua, ranked 131st in the world, arrive in South Africa with a youthful and largely inexperienced squad. The Central Americans failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and have struggled for consistency lately.
The Blue and Whites have won just one of their last eight matches and a victory or even a strong showing against one of Africa’s top-ranked sides would be a massive confidence booster as they continue their development.
TEAM NEWS
Coach Hugo Broos is set to name a near full-strength side as he continues to fine-tune his final 26-man World Cup squad. Thapelo Morena has been ruled out through injury, but his Mamelodi Sundowns teammate Aubrey Modiba has been included after passing a medical.
Meanwhile, Nicaragua have arrived with a very young squad (mostly aged 20-25) under new coach Juan Cruz Real. The Blue and Whites are missing several senior players such as Jacob Montes, with 19-year-old Oliver Bello making the squad.
WHAT WAS SAID
South Africa head coach Hugo Broos:
“There were some hard decisions to make. When you select a squad and make a list of players, you will always disappoint some players, and I know the disappointment for those who had to drop out tonight will be very, very hard," Broos said.
“It’s a World Cup. We want to go to the World Cup, so these are decisions that have to be made. I was a player myself, so I know how they will feel after I announced the 26 players. That is also part of the job.
"My assistant, Helman Mkhalele, and I spent the past few weeks sitting in the office discussing combinations - if we take this player, then another one has to drop out. There were some very difficult decisions, but that is part of my job, and I hope I chose the right players.”
Nicaragua head coach Juan Cruz Real:
“I think it is a great opportunity that we are going to have to start this process by playing two matches against very well-ranked national teams, even though they are participating in the World Cup," Real said.
"It will also give us the chance to get to know the players who will be part of this first squad better… to see the level we are at.”
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This will be the first-ever meeting between South Africa and Nicaragua.
Nicaragua have faced African teams only once in their senior international history, losing 1-0 to Ghana in a 2022 friendly in Spain.
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